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Protecting and Promoting Religious Freedom in Syria
Click here to view USCIRF's report, Promoting and Protecting Religuous Freedom in Syria .
SYRIA: USCIRF Issues Report on "Protecting and Promoting Religious Freedom in Syria"
Apr 19, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal agency created to monitor religious freedom abuses abroad and make policy recommendations to the…
USCIRF's 2013 Annual Report on the State of International Religious Freedom Identifies World's Worst Violators
Apr 30, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2013| By USCIRF Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an independent federal advisory body created by the International Religious Freedom…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett gave the following remarks at a conference, cosponsored by USCIRF and the National Endowment for Democracy on May 7, 2013Introduction Thank you for that kind introduction. It truly is a pleasure to join you today at the…
SYRIA: The Sectarian Divide
May 16, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMay 16, 2013 | By USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C.- The two-year armed conflict in Syria has left at least 80,000 people dead and more than 5 million displaced. In his May 13, 2013 press conference with…
July 2013 Factsheet: Syria's Refugee Crisis and its Implications
Click here to view the July 2013 Factsheet: Syria’s Refugee Crisis and its Implications
CNN World -- Fight Terrorism with Religious Freedom
Sep 11, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONSeptember 11, 2013 | By Robert P. George The following op-ed appeared in CNN World on September 11, 2013. Editor's note: Robert P. George is chairman of the U.S. Commission on International…
The Christian Science Monitor -- JFK's call for religious freedom can transform places like Pakistan
Nov 8, 2013 FOR YOUR INFORMATIONNovember 7, 2013 | By Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in the Christian Science Monitor on November 7, 2013. As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the assassination of…
SYRIA: Religious Minorities Need a Voice at Geneva II Peace Conference
Jan 15, 2014 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 14, 2014| USCIRF The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today urged the U.S. government to emphasize the plight of religious minorities and the protection of…
USCIRF Condemns Abduction of more than 200 Assyrian Christians and Urges Their Immediate Release
Feb 27, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 27, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly condemns the abduction of more than 200 Assyrian Christians by militants of the…
Syria: Four Years Later
Mar 16, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMarch 16, 2015 | USCIRF WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marked the 4th anniversary of the protests in Damascus, Aleppo and Daraa which set the stage for the Syrian conflict.  On this sad…
The Philadelphia Inquirer -- Threats to religious freedom
Sep 28, 2015 FOR YOUR INFORMATION September 28, 2015 | Daniel I. Mark and Katrina Lantos Swett The following op-ed appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer on September 27, 2015 Washington hosted two dramatically…
USCIRF Calls for Continued Syrian Refugee Resettlement
Dec 1, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 1, 2015 USCIRF Calls for Continued Syrian Refugee Resettlement Rigorous individualized vetting allows the United States to both welcome Syrian refugees and protect security.…
USCIRF Statement on the Designation of Victims of Genocide, Persecution, and Crimes Against Humanity in Syria and Iraq
Dec 7, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDecember 7, 2015 WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today issued the following statement:   USCIRF calls on the U.S. government to…
Syria: Five Years of Suffering Must End
Mar 14, 2016 For Immediate Release March 14, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. — March 15 marks the 5th anniversary of the peaceful protests that set the stage for the Syrian conflict.  This conflict has spawned a…
USCIRF Welcomes Genocide Determination; Urges Focus as well on al-Assad Regime
Mar 18, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MArch 18, 2016   Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes the State Department’s decision proclaiming that groups including Yazidis,…
USCIRF Welcomes CPC Designations: Urges Additional Designations and Actions
Apr 20, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 20, 2016   WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) welcomes Secretary of State John Kerry’s re-designation on April 15, 2016 of Burma,…
Testimony of USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George on "Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward"
USCIRF Chairman Robert P. George testified on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 before the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission at a hearing entitled "Confronting the Genocide of Religious Minorities: A Way Forward."From the testimony: "USCIRF in 2015 called on the U…
From Sinjar to Mosul
Nov 10, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WASHINGTON, D.C. – As coalition forces begin the liberation of Mosul, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) notes that November 13 is the one-year…
SYRIA: Six Years of War
Mar 15, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 15, 2017   WASHINGTON, D.C. – March 15 marks the 6th anniversary of the start of the Syrian conflict. Since the conflict began, an estimated 400,000 people have been killed;…
Georgetown University Berkley Forum: Rising Tide of Religious Freedom Abuses Abroad
Apr 27, 2017 The following op-ed appeared in the Georgetown University Berkley Forum on April 26, 2017. The op-ed also appeared in Religious Freedom Institute: Cornerstone.   By former USCIRF Commissioner Thomas J. Reese…
USCIRF Commends House Passage of Genocide Accountability Act, Urges Senate Action
Jun 9, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   USCIRF Commends House Passage of Genocide Accountability Act Urges Senate Action USCIRF declares that “the perpetrators of genocide must be held to account”   WASHINGTON, D.C. –…
H.R. 390: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Genocide Bill
Oct 5, 2017 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 5, 2017   H.R. 390: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Passes Genocide Bill USCIRF Chairman Mark calls committee action “a key step toward helping victims of ISIS genocide”  …
The Hill: The List No One Wants to Be On
Nov 16, 2017 The following originally op-ed appeared in The Hill on November 16, 2017   By former USCIRF Commissioners Daniel Mark and Sandra Jolley   People love lists. And when those lists are in the news,…
USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack Against Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan
Jul 3, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 3, 2018 USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack Against Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan Chair Dorjee said, “This attack is yet another reminder of the crucial link between security and religious…
The Hill: Protecting Religious Freedom Provides Common Ground for All
Jul 30, 2018 This op-ed originally appeared in The Hill on July 27, 2018. By former USCIRF Commissioners Tenzin Dorjee and Kristina Arriaga To the surprise of many, there is a foreign policy issue on which…
USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress
Nov 29, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 29, 2018   USCIRF Applauds Passage of H.R. 390 by Congress    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today applauded…
USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act
Dec 11, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2018   USCIRF Welcomes President Trump Signing the Iraq and Syria Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act    WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on…
Summer Seminar #1 -- A Foundational Human Right: Why International Religious Freedom Matters
Jun 24 WHEN: Jun 24th 6:59pm…
Testimony of Vice Chair Maenza on Global Persecution of Christians
On June 27, 2019, Vice Chair Nadine Maenza testified at a Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission hearing on violations of the right to freedom of religion of Christian communities around the world.Written Testimony Hearing Webpage
Summer Seminar #2 -- Anti-Semitism: The World's Oldest Hatred — New Again?
Jul 24 WHEN: Jul 24th 1:00pm - Jul 24th 1:00pm…
USCIRF Hearing on Global Efforts to Counter Anti-Semitism
Jan 08 WHEN: Jan 8th 1:30pm…
USCIRF Statement on Turkish Offensive in Northeast Syria
Oct 9, 2019 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 9, 2019   USCIRF Statement on Turkish Offensive in Northeast Syria   WASHINGTON, DC – In response to news reports that Turkey has launched airstrikes on the border region of…
Country Update: Afghanistan
Click here to view the October 2019 Afghanistan Country Update.
Briefing on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security: New Policy Guidance from the OSCE
Feb 11 WHEN: Feb 11th 10:30am…
USCIRF Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack against Sikh House of Worship in Kabul
Mar 25, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2020 USCIRF Strongly Condemns Terrorist Attack against Sikh House of Worship in Kabul Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) strongly…
Newsweek: U.S. Leaders Must Stand against Turkey’s Atrocities in Northern Syria
Jul 25, 2020 This op-ed originally appeared in Newsweek, on July 25, 2020. By USCIRF Vice Chair Anurima Bhargava and Commissioner Nadine Maenza As the world passively watches, Turkey is currently amassing troops on its…
Afghanistan Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Afghanistan Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Afghanistan.pdf Language English Year…
Syria Annual Report Chapters and Translations
Title 2026 Annual Report - Syria Chapter File Upload USCIRF 2026 Annual Report Syria.pdf Language English Year 2026…
Remarks by USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett, 2013 Annual Report, National Endowment for Democracy
May 7, 2013 USCIRF Chair Katrina Lantos Swett gave the following remarks at a conference, cosponsored by USCIRF and the National Endowment for Democracy on May 7, 2013 Introduction Thank you for that kind introduction. It…
Webinar #5: Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List
Nov 06 WHEN: Nov 6th 2:00pm…
2018 Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom
Jul 25 WHEN: Jul 25th 5:00pm - Jul 25th 7:00pm…
USCIRF Events During 2019 Ministerial
Jul 16 WHEN: Jul 16th 4:00pm - Jul 18th 2:00pm…
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Hearing Protecting Houses of Worship and Holy Sites
Oct 23 WHEN: Oct 23rd 3:00pm…
USCIRF Virtual Hearing on Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria
Jun 10 WHEN: Jun 10th 10:30am…
USCIRF Update with USAID: The President’s Executive Order on International Religious Freedom
Aug 05 WHEN: Aug 5th 10:30am…
Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses
Read the full Issue Update: The Global Persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses   This update describes official discrimination against Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world, with a particular focus on countries where members have been imprisoned for…
Violating Rights: Enforcing the World's Blasphemy Laws
Click here to view the report Violating Rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws USCIRF’s groundbreaking report examines the enforcement of blasphemy laws worldwide. Blasphemy laws criminalize expressions that insults or offends religious doctrines.…
USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally
Dec 9, 2020 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: USCIRF Releases Groundbreaking Report on the Enforcement of Blasphemy Laws Globally WASHINGTON, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released a…
Religious Freedom Priorities for the Biden Administration
Feb 4, 2021   As the Biden administration begins to formulate its broader human rights policy, USCIRF highlights several priority countries when it comes to international religious freedom. Condemning and preventing…
The Situation in Sinjar
Feb 18, 2021   In recent years, northern Iraq has become a battleground for Turkish armed forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). In June 2020, Turkey escalated their attacks in the region, announcing military…
Factsheet: Shari'a and LGBTI Persons
Factsheet on Shari’a and LGBTI Persons – In some countries around the world, criminal laws provide for the death penalty based on religious interpretations. This factsheet highlights countries with death penalty laws that target the LGBTI community…
USCIRF Releases New Report about Shari’a and LGBTI Persons
Mar 16, 2021 USCIRF Releases New Report about Shari’a and LGBTI Persons Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following factsheet on governments’ use of…
USCIRF Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of ISIS Genocide Recognition
Mar 17, 2021 USCIRF Commemorates Fifth Anniversary of ISIS Genocide Recognition Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today joins religious communities in Iraq and Syria—…
Governments Using Shari’a to Impose Death Sentences on LGBTI Persons
Mar 26, 2021 In some countries around the world, religion-based laws are used by governments to impose capital punishment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) persons. All of the 10 countries…
USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy
Apr 21, 2021 USCIRF Releases 2021 Annual Report with Recommendations for U.S. Policy No Longer Recommends Three Countries for Special Watch List Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom…
2021 Annual Report
View the 2021 Annual Report          
Refugee Resettlement and Religious Freedom
Apr 30, 2021 The program to resettle refugees to the United States has existed since 1980, with strong bipartisan support. Earlier this month, President Biden signed an emergency declaration to speed up refugee admissions into…
USCIRF Conversation on Ten Years after the Arab Spring: How has Religious Freedom Changed Across the Middle East?
Jun 23 WHEN: Jun 23rd 10:30am…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: USCIRF Hearing: Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria Recommendation:Demand the inclusion of the AANES in all activities pursuant to U.N. Res. 2254,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: USCIRF Hearing: Safeguarding Religious Freedom in Northeast Syria Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, expand U.S. engagement…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Provide immediate and effective assistance to Syria’s vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities under the terms of the Iraq…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure that the planned withdrawal of U.S. forces from northeastern Syria is conducted in such a manner that will…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Advocate for the inclusion of representatives from the autonomous administration of Kurdish-majority northeast Syria,…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Support efforts through relevant UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and like-minded partners among the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Continue and prioritize the resettlement of Syrian refugees to the United States—subject to proper vetting—with priority…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate Syria as a CPC and redesignate HTS as an EPC for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: US Treasury Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Exert pressure on and engage with Turkey to provide a timeline for its withdrawal from all territory that it occupies as…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, and accordingly expand U.S. engagement with its institutions…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Contribute to efforts in AANES-governed territory to fund and develop local programs to promote religious…
USCIRF Conversation on the Exodus of Religious Minority Communities in Afghanistan
Jun 30 WHEN: Jun 30th 3:00pm - Jun 30th 4:00pm…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press the Afghan government to acknowledge the significant threat to freedom of religion or belief posed…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Press the Afghan government to acknowledge the significant threat to freedom of religion or belief posed…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure the integration of religious freedom concerns with related issues such as countering religious extremism and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure the integration of religious freedom concerns with related issues such as countering religious extremism and…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the Afghan government to revoke the 2004 media law prohibiting “un-Islamic” writings and overturn…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Afghanistan Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Urge the Afghan government to revoke the 2004 media law prohibiting “un-Islamic” writings and overturn…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to ensure—and, if possible, in…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Afghanistan Government Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to ensure—and, if…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to create a civic…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2019 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information and Culture to advocate for the…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Afghanistan on the State Department’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating severe…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Ensure that protections for freedom of religion or belief are integrated into any future negotiations…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Houses of Worship Recommendation:Integrate religious freedom concerns, including the protection of houses of…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Encourage the Afghan Ministries of Education, Information and Culture, and Hajj and Religious Affairs to…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2020 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should appropriate funding specifically for the protection of freedom of religion or belief in…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Include Afghanistan on the U.S. Department of State’s Special Watch List for engaging in or tolerating…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Incorporate protections for freedom of religion or belief into U.S.-supported peace negotiations between…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Thematic Area: Houses of Worship Recommendation:Integrate religious freedom concerns, including the protection of houses of…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Facilitate cooperation between faith leaders and scholars of all religions in Afghanistan to foster…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Afghanistan Recommended To: Congress Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:The U.S. Congress should appropriate funding specifically for the protection of freedom of religion or belief in…
Recommendation
Status: partially_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Designate Syria as a CPC and redesignate HTS as an EPC for engaging in systematic, ongoing, and egregious…
Recommendation
Status: implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias within…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Treasury Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Impose targeted sanctions on Syrian government agencies and officials, HTS principals, and the leadership of militias…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Exert pressure on and engage with Turkey to provide a timeline for its withdrawal from all territory that it occupies as…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: Administration Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Recognize the AANES as a legitimate, local government, and accordingly expand U.S. engagement with its institutions, lift…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: U.S. Department of State Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Contribute to efforts in AANES-governed territory to fund and develop local programs to promote religious…
Recommendation
Status: not_implemented Year: Country: Syria Recommended To: USAID Source: 2021 USCIRF Annual Report Recommendation:Contribute to efforts in AANES-governed territory to fund and develop local programs to promote religious tolerance and pluralism…
USCIRF Commends Targeted Sanctions Against Religious Freedom Violators in Syria
Aug 4, 2021 USCIRF Commends Targeted Sanctions Against Religious Freedom Violators in Syria Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) applauded the U.S. government’s targeted…